TVCC Students,
We love getting back in the routine of having Wednesday nights with you guys. It blesses us so much to get to worship with you guys. We are still hanging out in Colossians 1. It was so encouraging to be reminded last night of the joy that comes with obedience. Here is a recap...
Colossians 1:9-12
~1:9: Paul tells the Colossian church that he has been praying continually for them since he heard of the fruit of the gospel in their lives. The gospel was bearing fruit in the people- causing them to abound in love through the power of the Spirit and this encouraged Paul to pray steadfastly for them. Paul heard good things and was still moved to pray for them. We should not only be lifting up the body of Christ in prayer during difficult times but even in seasons that are peaceful and good. These are the seasons where Satan is really ready to attack. We must remember that Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is especially on the prowl to rob people of their nearness to the Lord.
Q: Are you diligently praying for others? What changes do you need to make in your prayer life this week?
~1:9: Paul also prays that the people would be "filled" with the Spirit. This word for "filled" is a word that implies being "controlled by." Sonny gave the example of children being "filled" or "controlled" sometimes by too much sugar. When you consume too much sugar- it controls you! In the same way, when we are filled with the Spirit and are continually spending time letting His Word flow into us, we will be controlled by the Spirit. This is what the Lord wants for us. Why? Paul tells us- SO THAT... we can walk in a way that pleases the Lord. The goal in life is to glorify Christ and us being controlled by the Spirit brings Him glory as we represent Him well.
Q: What would you say is controlling your life on a daily basis? Are you being controlled by your own selfish desires or are you being controlled by the Spirit? What are you "filling" yourself with on a daily basis... worldly things or heavenly things?
~1:10: Again we see that the gospel bears fruit. Christ did not just save us to prevent us from hell. He saved us so that we could be near to Him and represent Him well to this world. This is what brings us joy. John 15:1-11 describes this truth so well. Jesus wants us to abide with Him through obedience to His word, thus representing Him well. He tells us that as we do this our joy will be made full. Nearness to Jesus brings more joy than anything else in this world. Even when we are walking through the difficult storms of life, we can experience joy as we are near to Him through loving obedience and adoration of Christ.
Q: What does it look like for you to be abiding in Christ? Are you walking in the joy that comes through loving obedience to Christ?
~1:11: Paul encourages the Colossian church to be strengthened by the power of the Spirit in order to grow in steadfastness. Over and over we see that these things that the Lord wants for us are things that He must give us as we seek Him. Steadfastness comes from the Lord... the Author and Perfecter of faith. In order for us to have the fruits of the Spirit, we must be continually renewing our minds through His Word and spending time with the Lord. We must surrender to Him, confessing our weakness and inabilities to please Him on our own and let Him grow us.
Q: Are you consistently confessing your shortcomings to the Lord and asking Him to grow you into someone who is pleasing to Him?
~1:12: Paul reminds them that as we (believers) grow in the Lord we should be growing in our thankfulness to Him. His mercies towards His children are beyond measure and as we continually spend time with Him, we will see more and more of His lavish provisions towards us. How great a God do we serve that He would qualify us to share in His inheritance? We did not deserve to be with the Lord. He left heaven and took our penalty so that we could share in His lavish inheritance. Let us walk in thankfulness for His great mercy!
Q: Has your life been characterized lately by thankfulness or grumbling and complaining? What leads you to thankfulness?
~1:13: Paul ends this little segment reminding them of the redemption that is theirs through Christ. The word "redemption" means to "buy back." We were lost and without hope. Jesus came and "purchased" us with His precious life. This death on our behalf transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light & life. What a glorious inheritance we now have through Jesus. Let us not let His sacrifice for us become common.
Q: Have you meditated lately on your redemption through the blood of Christ? Is this leading you to a selfless love of others? How does meditating on the gospel change your life on a daily basis?
Dear students,
As always we are so thankful for you all. We pray that this week the gospel would continue to bear fruit in your lives. We pray that you will spend time with the Lord, meditating on Him and that His Spirit would be producing heavenly fruit in your lives for the glory of Christ. We love you guys!
With hope,
~Sonny and Casi
Upcoming events:
*** Guys campout at the church land THIS Saturday (Nov 16-17) starting at 5pm.
***Ross King coming to Terra Verde starting this Sunday morning.
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